The warlocks there possess the oldest magical traditions in the world.
They can peer into fate, manipulate shadows, and even... understand and counteract the life-stealing power of the Faceless Men.
As long as you can acquire their heritage, the assassination techniques of the Faceless Men will be like child's play before you.
You will become the Lord of Shadows, not a prey of shadows. At that time, the wealth of the Iron Bank, combined with your supreme power from the City of the Undying, the iron throne will merely be the starting point of your conquest."
At these words, a tremendous temptation, like fine wine, almost made Viserys Targaryen feel a wave of dizziness.
But he still didn't let this cunning merchant cloud his judgment.
"Then, Xaro Xhoan Daxos, what reward do you demand for this magnificent blueprint you've described? My friendship and a future position as Hand of the King are probably not enough to match such a 'generous' investment!"
Viserys Targaryen asked in a deep voice.
Seeing that Viserys Targaryen was finally moved, Xaro smiled.
It was the smile of a top merchant, one who had everything under control.
He gently put down his wine glass, his hands clasped: "Your Majesty is truly straightforward. What I seek is not power, that is too vulgar."
He paused, staring intently at Viserys Targaryen: "I wish to marry your beautiful sister, Princess Daenerys."
Instantly, the air in the tent solidified.
Everyone knew the Targaryen Family's tradition of intermarriage.
A Dragon King with a biological sister would never easily extend his bloodline elsewhere!
Viserys Targaryen's playful expression instantly turned grim.
He finally understood the purpose of the man before him.
"My sister is a true dragon bloodline of Targaryen, not an item for trade!"
"Princess Dany is certainly not an item, Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Xaro immediately soothed him, his tone sincere, "Your niece Rhaenys Targaryen is Rhaegar's daughter and possesses the purest Targaryen Family bloodline.
She is similar in age to you. If you marry her, you will gain another army from Dorne, why not? This is the most secure form of alliance!
Think about it, my wealth and schemes, plus the sorcerous power you are about to acquire, and then through marriage, we will tightly bind our three parties together. This will not only bring practical resources but also contribute to our shared family glory."
He observed Viserys Targaryen's shifting expression, continuing to raise the stakes, his tone full of temptation: "Your Majesty, you will go to the City of the Undying to obtain power unimaginable to mortals, a grand achievement befitting a conqueror, a legendary king.
And Princess Daenerys, under my protection, will enjoy the most luxurious and safest life in Qarth, far from war and danger. And I, Xaro Xhoan Daxos, will manage all mundane, financial, and logistical matters for you.
We will each take what we need, each utilize our strengths, and together forge a new Targaryen dynasty. This is the most profitable transaction imaginable."
Hearing this, Viserys Targaryen fell silent.
The Iron Bank and the Faceless Men were indeed his greatest worries.
And the heritage of the City of the Undying was indeed full of temptation for Viserys.
Trading his sister's marriage for an ally as rich as a kingdom and a shortcut to mysterious power indeed firmly grasped his weakness.
Looking at Xaro's calculating face, Viserys Targaryen picked up his wine glass and drained it.
"Lord Xaro,"
Viserys Targaryen finally spoke.
His voice returned to calm, "Your proposal is indeed very appealing. Thank you for teaching me a lesson!"
Hearing this, Xaro's smile grew even brighter.
He knew that as long as Viserys Targaryen was tempted, half of the deal was already done.
He raised his wine glass again, laughing heartily: "Don't worry, from now on we'll address each other differently; you call me uncle-in-law, and I'll call you brother-in-law!"
"To the revival of the Targaryen Family, to our glorious future, cheers!"
However, in response to his overture, Viserys Targaryen simply turned his back, leaving a chilling remark: "Drag him out and castrate him!"
"What?"
Xaro Xhoan Daxos stood frozen, unable to believe his ears!
Just now, Viserys Targaryen had been listening perfectly well, why did he suddenly turn hostile?
Moreover, this scheme was practically flawless.
He had rehearsed it multiple times on his way to meet Viserys!
If he succeeded by chance, he would marry Daenerys Targaryen, and Viserys, along with his dragon, would naturally be captured by the warlocks of the Undying Temple, becoming slaves to raise dragons.
After Viserys Targaryen's death, he could even inherit the iron throne.
If Viserys Targaryen disagreed with the marriage, with no enmity between them, Viserys wouldn't go so far as to harm him, would he?
"Take your empty treasury and go deceive prostitutes, Unsullied Xaro Xhoan Daxos!"
Viserys Targaryen's words were as cold as ice, instantly making Xaro Xhoan Daxos feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar!
"Empty treasury? How could you know that!"
Xaro Xhoan Daxos's eyes widened in disbelief.
His treasury, which he had spent a fortune building, had created such a stir during its construction that it made nobles on both sides of the Narrow Sea take notice.
Everyone said he was as rich as a kingdom!
This was a secret even warlocks didn't know, yet Viserys Targaryen knew it from the very beginning.
Suddenly, the words "Dreamwalker" flooded his mind like a nightmare.
He had thought it was just a lie, but unexpectedly, it had come true directly upon Xaro Xhoan Daxos himself.
At this moment, he looked exactly like a clown, daring to show off his meager skill before this "prophet"!
Just as he hesitated, several burly men dragged him away.
"Ah—"
Before long, Xaro Xhoan Daxos's shrill screams echoed from outside the pyramid.
Listening to his wails, Viserys Targaryen finally finished his wine, satisfied.
"The warlocks of Qarth, you have successfully piqued my interest!"
Viserys Targaryen murmured, holding his wine glass.
He had originally been too lazy to bother with this oasis in the desert, but he never expected them to deliver themselves to his doorstep!
"Your Majesty, Xaro Xhoan Daxos has been thoroughly gelded!"
Brienne of Tarth stepped forward to report.
Brienne of Tarth looked disgusted by this unfamiliar fat, dark-skinned man.
This petty native of the western regions dared to proclaim himself king, he was simply courting death!
"Then geld him again!"
Viserys Targaryen pouted and added.
Xaro Xhoan Daxos, daring to deceive him, was simply asking for his own destruction.
This was the second person, besides Khal Drogo in the original story, who dared to deceive him and try to take his sister!
"Yes!"
Seeing that Viserys Targaryen was still angry, Brienne of Tarth, with a grim face, dragged the round-faced fat man out again.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! No... not there... Ah—"
Accompanied by scream after scream, Viserys Targaryen finally made up his mind to personally deal with this audacious warlock who dared to steal his magic.
"Sunfire,"
Viserys Targaryen shouted.
The next moment, a golden figure emerged from the top of the pyramid, and in a flash, it carried Viserys Targaryen and disappeared into the sky!